World Vision in partnership with World Food Programme bring hope and support to earthquake survivors

45-year-old Thandar remembered when the earthquake brought tragedy to her family on 28 March 2025. “When the earthquake struck, a woman saved my daughter, passing her to someone before she fell and died beneath me,” says Thandar. Her husband was killed in the mosque during prayer. “I was electrocuted, my head, hip, and knees were injured. I had to shave my head. My entire body was hurt, but I survived," she adds.

Mi Mi, 65, from Tatkon, was among thousands of people impacted. Her five children are married and live with their own families now. Her husband passed away years ago. “When the earthquake hit, I clung to a pole in the building at the first tremor. At the second shake, I fell as the three-story building I worked in collapsed,” Mi Mi recounts. “I stayed conscious, hearing girls cry nearby. When rescuers called out, I shouted for help, and they saved me.”

Thandar and Mi Mi are among the thousands of survivors who have lost their loved ones when the earthquake hit central Myanmar on 28th March 2025.  The 7.7 earthquake, caused widespread damage to homes, schools, health centres and public infrastructure in Mandalay and Sagaing. The earthquake compounds an already dire humanitarian situation where nearly 20 million people already needed humanitarian assistance across the country due to prolonged conflict, recurring natural disasters and economic collapse.

So far earthquake has affected nearly 17 million people and 197,113 people have been internally displaced. Nearly 2 million new people are in need of humanitarian assistance since the earthquake. 

The World Food Programme (WFP) and World Vision conducted an rapid assessment in   earthquake-affected areas, analysing data and consulting village leaders to identify priority households. The assessment focused on families who lost loved ones, suffered injuries, had damaged homes, faced food insecurity, or were led by women, with elderly members or children. For this particular response,  nearly 82 USD was provided to each family (one month support). Before distribution, families attended an orientation explaining the aid’s purpose, encouraging thoughtful use to meet urgent needs. A feedback and complaint system was introduced, with contact cards and a banner display listing the cash amount and hotline numbers for transparency.  World Vision’s multipurpose cash assistance aims to meet urgent needs of earthquake-affected families, from buying essentials and covering medical costs to repairing homes.

For Thandar, the loss of her husband, her family’s provider, means a gloomy future for her and her 10-month-old daughter. Among pressing needs, she longs for stability. “I want a safe place for my daughter and me to stay,” she says. “With the cash I received, I’ll donate some and use the rest for our needs.”

Mi Mi whose hand was severely injured while protecting her head as the building fell aims to use the money for medical treatment. “My hand hasn’t healed. With four teeth broken, and my face bruised, it will take time for me to do household chores again.  I’ll use the money for medical treatment. That would mean a lot to me,” she says.

As part of WV’s Myanmar Earthquake Response, in partnership with WFP, 8,859 people have received Multipurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA). The World Food Programme and World Vision have been in long-term partnership for years prior to the earthquake. With WFP's support, World Vision has provided support to vulnerable families and children through various initiatives, including food distribution, maternal and child cash transfers, assistance for internally displaced persons (IDPs), and cash-for-assets programmes.

World Vision is providing live-saving relief assistance to the children and their families affected by the earthquake. Through our humanitarian efforts, both immediate relief and long-term recovery, we aim to support 500,000 people, including 172,000 children.  As of 15 April 2025, we have reached 80,435 affected by the earthquake, including 23,016 children (12,489 girls, 10,527 boys).